Weekly Media Roundup: September 27, 2023

After-School Program Helping Kids ‘Kick’ Off Their Future, WKBN-TV (Ohio)

The Concept Young Scholars Program at the Horizon Science Academy in Youngstown, Ohio, which helps students with homework and focuses on building confidence, advancing volunteerism, and overcoming academic challenges, recently began offering 7th and 8th grade students Saturday kickboxing lessons. Without it, “I’d just be sitting in my house,” 8th grader Dav’On Perry told WKBN-TV. He credits the program with helping him “look forward to what high school I’m going to go to. If I keep my grades up, then I’m going to be able to go to any high school, then it’s going to lead me out of college with good grades.”  

Building a Modern Village: Let’s Close the Education Opportunity Gap Together, By Little Media

Education can equip young people with tools they can use to improve their prospects. But once the school day ends, many disadvantaged students are without anything to do or anyone to care for them, increasing the odds they’ll fall behind in their studies, face mental health challenges, or become victims or perpetrators of crime. But afterschool programs can change that. “If you’ve participated in extracurricular programs, think about the kind of impact they had on your life. Chances are, you formed some of your most important relationships and learned some of your most valuable skills while playing sports, performing a play, or at camp,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told By Little Media.

Grant Aims to Engage More Girls in STEM in the Great Lakes Bay Region, WJRT (Michigan)

Due to a Moonshot Catalyst Grant, female students at Great Lakes Bay Ecosystem afterschool programs in Bay City, Michigan will have the chance to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers, develop leadership skills, and participate in robust STEM programs starting this winter. “Ultimately it’s about STEM talent development, it’s about our workforce, and it’s about starting as early as possible from cradle all the way to career,” STEM Pipeline Out-Of-School Time Network leader Rich Van Tol told WJRT. Other partners include Delta College Planetarium, Boys and Girls Club of the Great Lakes Bay, and SelfLoveBeauty. The Moonshot Catalyst Grant is part of Million Girls Moonshot, which is working to engage and expand the number of girls in STEM.  

California Governor Signs Law Raising Taxes on Guns and Ammunition to Pay for School Safety, WVTM (California)

This week, California Governor Gavin Newson signed a law that will levy a new 11 percent tax on gun and ammunition sales. Revenue from the new tax will support violence prevention programs and initiatives, including afterschool programs, school security improvements, and the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program. “Taxing firearm sales to fund violence intervention programs is essential to interrupting the cycle of violence and stopping gun violence before it begins, and we encourage other states to follow suit,” Kris Brown, president of Bradyunited.org, told WVTM.